Shopping online and paying for services right from your computer is very common these days. While some people don’t even think twice about paying with their debit or credit card online, others can be a little cautious especially if the website seems sketchy.

Just the other day, I was paying for a service on Fiverr and the PayPal screen looked questionable to me because it switched to a different language which made me hesitate with going through with my purchase.

Identity theft has become even more common. It’s become easier than ever to make purchases online.

As a small business owner, the last thing you want to do is make current and potential customers afraid of buying products and services once you start accepting credit cards on your website.

Gaining trust with your customers is essential to the success of your business and here are a few ways to eliminate fear and ensure your customer’s trust whenever accepting credit card payments on your business’ website.

Use Credible Trust and Security Badges

It’s a good idea to make sure your site is secure and use a popular and credible trust badge on your website to let users know that everything is secure including the payment process.

You want your customers to focus on their anticipation of receiving your wonderful product or service. We want to relieve their worry surrounding the idea of getting their credit card information stolen.

Having a trust badge on your site has also been proven to boost conversions. Be sure you’re using a well-known and credible trust badge. Otherwise, there’s really no point in the display because your customer isn’t familiar with it. Note that with a the particular trust badge, it may not really have an impact on your customers.

That being said, don’t just slap a well-known trust badge on your site without making sure you can offer that level of security for your customers. Saying you have some type of security that you really don’t have is just as bad (or worse) as doing nothing at all.

Switch to HTTPS When Accepting Credit Cards on Your Website

If you haven’t already, switch from HTTP to HTTPS. The ‘S’ stands for secure and can make a huge difference to customers who visit your website.

HTTPS uses a strong public-key cryptography which encrypts the connection between the customer’s web browser and your server. It’s nice because no one but the server and the customer know what information is being communicated.

An HTTPS requires an SSL (secure socket layers) certificate in order to verify both identities.

Using HTTPS is also known to provide SEO benefits, data integrity, and of course, trust.

You may have already noticed that most big-name websites use HTTPS. Look for this security when you’re making purchases on different websites. It’s very easy to set up on your end and you can get started with your web host.

Use a Proven and Reliable Payment System

The payment system you use is very important if you wish to have a business that accepts credit and debit card payments online. Some people settle for PayPal because it’s generally very secure since you don’t have to share your credit card number with anyone.

However, PayPal also charges quite high fees, so it’s best to compare several different payment systems. Always measure factors like the level of security, integration process, fee structure, and technical assistance and support.

Customers want to use a system that is easy, quick, and safe. As a business owner you want to reduce transaction costs. You must target a wider audience, get paid faster, and maximize the security of each transaction. Choosing a payment system that uses a combination of live monitoring and encryption software to provide top level security is your best option.

Add a Disclosure

Make your customers feel better about making payments on your website. A brief disclosure outlining your security and privacy protection policy is helpful.

You can place your security and privacy message in the footer of your website. Ensure it shows up on all website pages. Consider posting it prominently on the checkout page of your website. You will want your security effort proudly displayed where people won’t be able to miss it.

For customers who need the extra reassurance, this will really help. For those who aren’t as concerned about this, it still doesn’t hurt and it’s easy to do.

Make Sure Your Contact Page is Clear and Helpful

If someone has questions about making a purchase, they need to know how to contact you. Make sure your contact page is clearly visible. Keep the design uncluttered and display all information a customer would need to reach out to you.

If you’re a local business, you’ll definitely want to put your address on the page and perhaps even your Google Maps listing and phone number. Running a virtual business, including your phone number may also help along with a contact form.

If you prefer people don’t call you, you can simply list your email address. A phone number, even to a recording calms many jitters. Make note of how soon you’ll be able to respond after receiving an inquiry. You may also want to include a link to your returns/refund policy that should already be on your sales page.

Summary

Customer service is more than meets the eye. It involves making your customer feel they are well taken care of and maybe even pampered. Explore options to put your customer at ease from the time they first interact with your business. Keep them happy even after they purchase your products and services.

Offering credit and debit card payment options is great. Welcome your customer with a beautiful site that is secure, has multiple and easy payment systems, and essential, clear terms and contact information.

If you’re just starting to offer payments on your website, keep all these tips in mind and eliminate potential fears customers may have. You will be offering and ensuring a quality purchase experience.

Choncé Maddox is a professional writer who recently left her job in the web design industry to produce killer content and manage her own writing business full time. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs be more productive and create a life they love by doing fulfilling work. On the side, she runs a podcast and blogs about getting out of debt at MyDebtEpiphany.com.